For the latter alleged offences, the charge sheet stated he had conspired with Ronan Hughes and others, prosecutors said.

Loading

Police leading the investigation said Hughes, 40, and his brother Christopher, 34, from Armagh, were wanted on suspicion of manslaughter and human trafficking.

"Finding and speaking to the Hughes brothers is crucial to our investigation," said Detective Chief Superintendent Stuart Hooper.

"At this time we believe they are in Northern Ireland but they also have links to the Irish Republic. If you know where they are or have any information about their whereabouts I need you to call my team."

Loading

Christopher Hughes is listed as a director of C Hughes Logistics Ltd based in Armagh.

In a 2016 interview with Irish Trucker magazine, he said the company ran a fleet of nine trucks, working in Sweden, Denmark, Italy and England as well as Ireland, with six full-time employees.

Three other people were arrested and released on police bail and Irish police have also arrested a man in connection with the investigation.

"This involves a global ring facilitating the movement of a large number of immigrants into the UK," prosecution lawyer Ogheneruona Iguyovwe told Robinson's court hearing.